'Girls, I am heading to work now, you be good for Lucy.' Charles calls out. As he is straightening the tie on his navy suit. He can hear the patter of footsteps running down the stairs. 'Daddy wait.' Bianca calls out stopping abruptly at his feet and putting her arms up for a hug. Crouching down to reach her, he looks at her face seeing she was fighting off tears, she softly whispers 'I will miss you.'

'I will miss you too sweetheart, have a good day at school.' He says in response softly stroking her hair. 'I will be back before you know it.' He kisses her cheek before he stands tall and turns to walk out the door, but not before placing a tender kiss on Nicole's forehead.

Waiting for Charles for him was the town car to take him to the Empirical offices. He was attempting to mentally prepare himself for the day ahead. It has been nearly 4 weeks since he stepped foot in his office, electing to work from home. However it was time for normalcy to return, he needed to get his life back in order and the first step was returning to the office.

What a tough few months he has had. His relationship with his wife fell into disrepair, they had been fighting more and one morning he woke up and noticed her clothes missing from the cupboard, she had walked away from everything and he hadn't heard from her since. The last thing she said was left in a note on the bedside table saying 'Charles, I can't do this anymore, I need some time away to find myself. Tell the girls I love them and I will see them soon. Pauline.'

Stunned and needing to take care of his girls, he focused all his attention on them for the next month, ensuring the transition was easier for them. School drop offs, pick ups and lunches, dance recitals, bird watching meetings. He was there for it all and began to appreciate not only his time with the girls but Pauline for everything she had done over the years.

Lost in thought, thinking of all the changes in his life, he gets out of the car and heads towards the elevator. 'Here we go' he says softly to himself.

ping* the doors open and let's put a breath he didn't know he was holding.

Walking towards his office he felt some sets of eyes settle on him but he continued forward without a sidewards glance.

Passing the offices of Kelsey Peters and Diana Trout, a calmness overcame him as he made his way to his office. He was glad to be back.

His morning went by quickly, answering emails, taking phone calls and talking to his lawyer. His nerves began to ease and he felt he was settling back into that familiar rhythm.

'Charles.' He turns his head towards the voice calling him. 'Hi Diana.'

'Care for lunch meeting? We have plenty to discuss.' Diana asks, placing her hand on his arm. This woman and her not so subtle flirting. Charles thinks, Pauline only left a month ago.

'Sure, I'll talk with you then.' He says quickly walking towards the conference room to take his seat.

The meeting went rather smoothly and I successfully avoided all questions relating to myself and my marriage, I'd call that a win. Charles thinking to himself as he exits the room.

It wasn't until he was in the bullpen he noticed the young woman who was seated at her desk, novel in hand. He stood there for a moment and simply watched her. Although they worked in publishing, it was always a surprise when he saw people in the office with an actual book in their hand. She was so engrossed in her book she didn't notice him watching her or any of the bustling activity around her. 'Liza' Diana screeched, the girl quickly jumps popping in a bookmark and quickly races into Diana's office.

Charles quickly walks to the desk to see what novel has her so withdrawn. 'Look Homeward, Angel' a grin appears on his face. Who does that? He thought to himself. That book may be a literary masterpiece, however who would take the time to read this? The discovery of this novel strikes Charles in ways it shouldn't, he shakes the feeling.

Diana has a new assistant, poor girl, I wonder how long she will last.

Lunchtime came around quickly and Charles he found himself on the lounge next to Diana.

All the concerns he had about his time away from the company had been squashed when he saw the well oiled machine that Diana had been operating in his absence. He was thankful for that.

'I am really excited about this repackage' Charles says to Diana while sitting on her couch.

'Have you read Achebe?' He questions. 'Things fall apart is one of my favourite books, I actually think is required reading, now, in high school.' Charles states, knowing he could go on about his love for Achebe all afternoon, he really was excited. 'It is' a soft voice interrupts.

It's her he thinks to himself, he shouldn't be surprised really, she is Diana's assistant and is running around after her.

'So you've read Achebe?' He questions.

He was surprised by her response that 'she couldn't put it down' and even rattling off other bits of information. There isn't many younger women who he felt he could discuss books openly with.

Diana on the other hand, she was definitely lying, the young girl attempts to prompt her, clearly knowing her place is to make Diana look good, but the moment she opens her mouth, he couldn't take his eyes off her.

' You're very well-read, I'm impressed.' He states, taking her all in. She is very beautiful. He thinks to himself. It was a brief moment before Diana interrupted stating she was not impressed by he food. Can that woman ever be satisfied? Nothing is ever right but that sort of pickiness is good for business' He thinks as his eyes rest back on this young woman and follow her movements as she walks out the door. Saying a quick thank you which he don't think she heard or which she wouldn't hear from Diana.

The meeting continued rather smoothly, although he couldn't quite get her out of his mind, there is something different about this one, she is not the type of assistant Diana usually hires,

I must find out more about her, he makes a mental note.

Standing to leave, he glances towards her desk and noticed her watching him leave the room. Quick Charles smile, don't make it awkward. He nods in her direction quickly returning to his office to continue the remainder his day with little interruption.

Opening his front door with a soft click, he was surprised by the silence that was surrounding him.

A note was placed on the hall stand, 'Charles, the girls and I are at the park, we will be home at 5pm'. Discarding his coat into the closet he walks into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of wine, before getting started on dinner.

It didn't take too long for his thoughts to shift to that woman he come across today in the office, she was so bright and bubbly but so well read. He needed to know more about her.

His thoughts were short-lived when he heard the front door open and the girls chatting rather loudly.

"Daddy," they say together, race towards him and embrace him in a tight hug.

'I missed you both! It is almost dinner time, go and get cleaned up. I want to hear all about your day.'

They rush out of the room as Charles walks Lucy to the door. 'Thank you, Lucy, I will see you tomorrow.'

'Goodnight Charles' she replies.

Charles places dinner in front of his girls and took his seat at the table. 'Ok, tell me everything' he says. His girls begin talking, telling him about their day. He smiles, nodding along and making appropriate commentary as necessary meanwhile he was deep in his own thoughts about the beautiful brunette who is currently on his payroll.